After an 18 month second career at Total Wine (which I left because of the hour commute) I have an interview tomorrow with the owners of a new wine shop only 15 minutes from my house! I can't wait! I only hope it is not a stereotypical "Beer, Wine, Deli" that sells more Bud and lottery tickets than anything else. The shop is still under construction so I'll have to ask what the owner's vision for the place is.

There's also another possibility in downtown Frederick that is going to be a wine bar with some food available, also under construction. I have yet to contact the owners about that place but I will pursue that, too.

Oh good for you! I never seem to have time on my hands, but I envy that you live close enough to places like these to even consider filling your time this way, either as an employee or as customer. They're very lucky that someone like you is there to apply--you not only have knowledge and enthusiasm, you have dignity.

My wine shopping and I have never had a problem. Just a perpetual race between the bankruptcy court and Hell.--Rogov

Good Luck. I began my wine career in retail, and I still have a special love for it. In many ways, I wish I had continued. Of course, my whole life would have been different. I don't know what you did before Total Wines, but I hope that with Total you were in a position of decision-making and had some say over the products on the shelf. So often, big stores with a bunch of shelf space are undiscerning, and I hope use was made of your wine acumen in populating the store with the best wines of their types in their price ranges. It could be easier to be in such a position in a smaller local store, where because of the more limited shelf space, such decisions will be even more important. Such shops succeed or fail on the basis of customer service, and I am sure your broad wine knowledge will serve well your relationships to your customers. The only negative is that the customers you have at Total will be far from your new store, so you may need to build your base from scratch.

I hope the interview went well and that the owner's vision is somewhat in tune with yours. If you do end up taking another wine-related position I will have to become a customer on my next visit to DC/Maryland.

I have been offered the job I interviewed for yesterday. It's apparently going to be an upscale, independently owned wine shop (No Lottery, No Spirits) and better than average use of technology (sales staff to carry iPads, flat screens with information on wines and craft beers).

Opens in mid-December. Can't believe it but 10 minutes drive from home - that's like getting a raise right there!

Thanks for your good wishes, they gave me the extra confidence I needed!

Jon Peterson wrote:I have been offered the job I interviewed for yesterday. It's apparently going to be an upscale, independently owned wine shop (No Lottery, No Spirits) and better than average use of technology (sales staff to carry iPads, flat screens with information on wines and craft beers).

Opens in mid-December. Can't believe it but 10 minutes drive from home - that's like getting a raise right there!

Thanks for your good wishes, they gave me the extra confidence I needed!